1
|
Chitimia-Dobler L, Handschuh S, Dunlop JA, Pienaar R, Mans BJ. Nuttalliellidae in Burmese amber: implications for tick evolution. Parasitology 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38623697 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182024000477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Ticks are composed of 3 extant families (Argasidae, Ixodidae and Nuttalliellidae) and 2 extinct families (Deinocrotonidae and Khimairidae). The Nuttalliellidae possess one extant species (Nuttalliella namaqua) limited to the Afrotropic region. A basal relationship to the hard and soft tick families and its limited distribution suggested an origin for ticks in the Afrotropics. The Deinocrotonidae has been found in Burmese amber from Myanmar and Iberian amber from Spain, suggesting a wider distribution of the lineage composed of Deinocrotonidae and Nuttalliellidae. The current study describes 8 fossils from mid-Cretaceous (ca. 100 Ma) Burmese amber: 2 Deinocroton species (Deinocroton bicornis sp. nov.; Deinocroton lacrimus sp. nov.), 5 Nuttalliella species (Nuttalliella gratae sp. nov., Nuttalliella tuberculata sp. nov., Nuttalliella placaventrala sp. nov., Nuttalliella odyssea sp. nov., Nuttalliella tropicasylvae sp. nov.) and a new genus and species (Legionaris nov. gen., Legionaris robustus sp. nov.). The argument is advanced that Deinocroton do not warrant its own family, but forms part of the Nuttalliellidae comprising 3 genera, Deinocroton, Legionaris nov. gen. and Nuttalliella). Affinities of Burmese tick fossils to the Australasian region, specifically related to rifting of the Burma terrane from northern Australia ~150 million years ago, suggest that Nuttalliella had a much wider distribution than its current limited distribution. The distribution of Nuttalliella likely stretched from Africa over Antarctica and much of Australia, suggesting that extant members of this family may still be found in Australia. Considerations for the geographic origins of ticks conclude that an Afrotropic origin can as yet not be discarded.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Department of Rickettsiology and Virology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
- Department of Infection and Pandemic Research, Fraunhofer Institute of Immunology, Infection and Pandemic Research, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Handschuh
- VetCore Facility for Research / Imaging Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jason A Dunlop
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ronel Pienaar
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Ben J Mans
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Numan M, Alouffi A, Almutairi MM, Tanaka T, Ahmed H, Akbar H, Rashid MI, Tsai KH, Ali A. First Detection of Theileria sinensis-like and Anaplasma capra in Ixodes kashmiricus: With Notes on cox1-Based Phylogenetic Position and New Locality Records. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3232. [PMID: 37893956 PMCID: PMC10603726 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ixodes ticks transmit Theileria and Anaplasma species to a wide range of animals. The spreading of ticks and tick-borne pathogens has been attributed to transhumant herds, and research on these uninvestigated issues has been neglected in many countries, including Pakistan. Recently, we used internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 16S ribosomal DNA partial sequences to genetically characterize Ixodes kashmiricus ticks and their associated Rickettsia spp. However, the data on its cox1 sequence and associated Theileria spp. and Anaplasma spp. are missing. This study aimed to genetically characterize I. kashmiricus based on the cox1 sequence and their associated Theileria spp. and Anaplasma spp. The I. kashmiricus ticks were collected from small ruminants: sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) of transhumant herds in district Shangla, Dir Upper and Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Out of 129 examined hosts, 94 (72.87%) (56 sheep and 38 goats) were infested by 352 ticks, including adult females (175; 49.7%) followed by nymphs (115; 32.7%) and males (62; 17.6%). For molecular analyses, 121 ticks were subjected to DNA isolation and PCR for the amplification of the cox1 sequence for I. kashmiricus, 18S rDNA for Theileria spp. and 16S rDNA sequences for Anaplasma spp. The obtained cox1 sequence showed 89.29%, 88.78%, and 88.71% identity with Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes gibbosus, and Ixodes apronophorus, respectively. Phylogenetically, the present cox1 sequence clustered with the Ixodes ricinus complex. Additionally, the 18S rDNA sequence showed 98.11% maximum identity with Theileria cf. sinensis and 97.99% identity with Theileria sinensis. Phylogenetically, Theileria spp. clustered with the T. cf. sinensis and T. sinensis. In the case of Anaplasma spp., the 16S rDNA sequence showed 100% identity with Anaplasma capra and phylogenetically clustered with the A. capra. PCR-based DNA detection targeting the amplification of groEL and flaB sequences of Coxiella spp. and Borrelia spp., respectively, was unsuccessful. This is the first phylogenetic report based on cox1 and new locality records of I. kashmiricus, and the associated T. sinensis-like and A. capra. Significant tick surveillance studies are needed in order to determine the epidemiology of Ixodes ticks and their associated pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Numan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan;
| | - Haroon Ahmed
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chak ShahZad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Haroon Akbar
- Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54200, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran Rashid
- Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54200, Pakistan
| | - Kun-Hsien Tsai
- Global Health Program, Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106319, Taiwan
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Estrada-Peña A, Guglielmone AA, Nava S. Worldwide host associations of the tick genus Ixodes suggest relationships based on environmental sharing rather than on co-phylogenetic events. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:75. [PMID: 36810195 PMCID: PMC9945728 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05641-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to capture how ticks of the genus Ixodes gained their hosts using network constructs. We propose two alternative hypotheses, namely, an ecological background (ticks and hosts sharing environmentally available conditions) and a phylogenetic one, in which both partners co-evolved, adapting to existing environmental conditions after the association took place. METHODS We used network constructs linking all the known pairs of associations between each species and stage of ticks with families and orders of hosts. Faith's phylogenetic diversity was used to evaluate the phylogenetic distance of the hosts of each species and changes occurring in the ontogenetic switch between consecutive stages of each species (or the extent of the changes in phylogenetic diversity of hosts for consecutive stages of the same species). RESULTS We report highly clustered associations among Ixodes ticks and hosts, supporting the influence of the ecological adaptation and coexistence, demonstrating a lack of strict tick-host coevolution in most cases, except for a few species. Keystone hosts do not exist in the relationships between Ixodes and vertebrates because of the high redundancy of the networks, further supporting an ecological relationship between both types of partners. The ontogenetic switch of hosts is high for species with enough data, which is another potential clue supporting the ecological hypothesis. Other results suggest that the networks displaying tick-host associations are different according to the biogeographical realms. Data for the Afrotropical region reveal a lack of extensive surveys, while results for the Australasian region are suggestive of a mass extinction of vertebrates. The Palearctic network is well developed, with many links demonstrating a highly modular set of relationships. CONCLUSIONS With the obvious exceptions of Ixodes species restricted to one or a few hosts, the results point to an ecological adaptation. Even results on species linked to groups of ticks (such as Ixodes uriae and the pelagic birds or the bat-tick species) are suggestive of a previous action of environmental forces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto A. Guglielmone
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela—Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Rafaela, Santa Fe Argentina
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela—Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Rafaela, Santa Fe Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hard ticks in Burmese amber with Australasian affinities. Parasitology 2023; 150:157-171. [PMID: 36341553 PMCID: PMC10090639 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022001585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Three examples of metastriate hard ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) with apparent affinities to modern Australasian genera are described from the mid-Cretaceous (ca. 100 Ma) Burmese amber of Myanmar. Two nymphs of Bothriocroton muelleri sp. nov. represent the oldest (and only) fossil record of this genus, living members of which are restricted to Australia and predominantly feed on monitor lizards, snakes and echidnas. A female of Archaeocroton kaufmani sp. nov. shares its basis capitulum shape with the tuatara tick Archaeocroton sphenodonti (Dumbleton, 1943), the only extant member of this genus and an endemic species for New Zealand. The presence of 2 Australasian genera in Burmese amber is consistent with a previous record of an Ixodes Latreille, 1795 tick from this deposit which resembles Australian members of this genus. They further support an emerging hypothesis that fauna of the amber forest, which may have been on an island at the time of deposition, was at least partly Gondwanan in origin. A revised evolutionary tree for Ixodida is presented compiling data from several new Burmese amber ticks described in the last few years.
Collapse
|
5
|
Barbosa AD, Long M, Lee W, Austen JM, Cunneen M, Ratchford A, Burns B, Kumarasinghe P, Ben-Othman R, Kollmann TR, Stewart CR, Beaman M, Parry R, Hall R, Tabor A, O’Donovan J, Faddy HM, Collins M, Cheng AC, Stenos J, Graves S, Oskam CL, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. The Troublesome Ticks Research Protocol: Developing a Comprehensive, Multidiscipline Research Plan for Investigating Human Tick-Associated Disease in Australia. Pathogens 2022; 11:1290. [PMID: 36365042 PMCID: PMC9694322 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In Australia, there is a paucity of data about the extent and impact of zoonotic tick-related illnesses. Even less is understood about a multifaceted illness referred to as Debilitating Symptom Complexes Attributed to Ticks (DSCATT). Here, we describe a research plan for investigating the aetiology, pathophysiology, and clinical outcomes of human tick-associated disease in Australia. Our approach focuses on the transmission of potential pathogens and the immunological responses of the patient after a tick bite. The protocol is strengthened by prospective data collection, the recruitment of two external matched control groups, and sophisticated integrative data analysis which, collectively, will allow the robust demonstration of associations between a tick bite and the development of clinical and pathological abnormalities. Various laboratory analyses are performed including metagenomics to investigate the potential transmission of bacteria, protozoa and/or viruses during tick bite. In addition, multi-omics technology is applied to investigate links between host immune responses and potential infectious and non-infectious disease causations. Psychometric profiling is also used to investigate whether psychological attributes influence symptom development. This research will fill important knowledge gaps about tick-borne diseases. Ultimately, we hope the results will promote improved diagnostic outcomes, and inform the safe management and treatment of patients bitten by ticks in Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D. Barbosa
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia 70040-020, DF, Brazil
| | - Michelle Long
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Wenna Lee
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Jill M. Austen
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Mike Cunneen
- The App Workshop Pty Ltd., Perth, WA 6000, Australia
| | - Andrew Ratchford
- Emergency Department, Northern Beaches Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2086, Australia
- School of Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Brian Burns
- Emergency Department, Northern Beaches Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2086, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Sydney University, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Prasad Kumarasinghe
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- College of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Western Dermatology, Hollywood Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | | | | | - Cameron R. Stewart
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Miles Beaman
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia
| | - Rhys Parry
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Roy Hall
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ala Tabor
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre of Animal Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Justine O’Donovan
- Clinical Services and Research, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Sydney, NSW 2015, Australia
| | - Helen M. Faddy
- Clinical Services and Research, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Sydney, NSW 2015, Australia
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Petrie, QLD 4502, Australia
| | - Marjorie Collins
- School of Psychology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Allen C. Cheng
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology Unit, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Stephen Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Una M. Ryan
- Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J. Irwin
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Šlapeta J, Halliday B, Chandra S, Alanazi AD, Abdel-Shafy S. Rhipicephalus linnaei (Audouin, 1826) recognised as the "tropical lineage" of the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato: Neotype designation, redescription, and establishment of morphological and molecular reference. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102024. [PMID: 36063755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We re-describe the adult stages of Rhipicephalus linnaei (Audouin, 1826), and characterise its diagnostic molecular traits. A male R. linnaei collected in Esna City, Luxor Governorate, Egypt is designated as the neotype. Rhipicephalus linnaei is re-established as a valid tick name and removed from the synonymy list of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806). Rhipicephalus linnaei is most similar to R. sanguineus and Rhipicephalus camicasi Morel, Mouchet & Rodhain, 1976 because they share similar elongated comma-like spiracula that are narrowly visible dorsally, and the dorsal prolongation is narrower than the width of the adjacent festoon. The male of R. camicasi is distinguished from R. linnaei by the non-tapering caudal widening of the spiracula. The male of R. sanguineus is distinguished from R. linnaei by shorter extension that does not taper into a long narrow extension of the spiracula. The genital pore atrium of female R. linnaei is broadly U-shaped, while it is a narrower U-shape in R. sanguineus. The remaining species within the R. sanguineus species complex - Rhipicephalus sulcatus Neumann, 1908, Rhipicephalus turanicus Pomerantsev, 1940, Rhipicephalus guilhoni Morel & Vassilades, 1963, Rhipicephalus secundus Feldman-Muhsam, 1952 and Rhipicephalus afranicus Bakkes, 2020, all exhibit spiracula with the dorsal prolongation as wide as the adjacent festoon. The DNA sequence of R. linnaei is most closely related to R. guilhoni. The phylogenetic analysis of mitogenome (mtDNA) sequences including assembled mtDNA from whole genome sequencing of the neotype supports R. linnaei as a well-defined taxon when compared with DNA sequences of other species of the R. sanguineus species complex, in particular: R. sanguineus, R. turanicus, R. secundus and R. camicasi. Molecularly, R. linnaei belongs to the so-called R. sanguineus s.l. "tropical lineage" distributed globally including the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia and is the only species from R. sanguineus species complex in Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
| | - Bruce Halliday
- Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Shona Chandra
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Abdullah D Alanazi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Ad-Dawadimi, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sobhy Abdel-Shafy
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Greay TL, Evasco KL, Evans ML, Oskam CL, Magni PA, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. Illuminating the bacterial microbiome of Australian ticks with 16S and Rickettsia-specific next-generation sequencing. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2022; 1:100037. [PMID: 35284883 PMCID: PMC8906098 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies show that mosquito and tick microbiomes influence the transmission of pathogens, opening new avenues for vector-borne pathogen control. Recent microbiological studies of Australian ticks highlight fundamental knowledge gaps of tick-borne agents. This investigation explored the composition, diversity and prevalence of bacteria in Australian ticks (n = 655) from companion animals (dogs, cats and horses). Bacterial 16S NGS was used to identify most bacterial taxa and a Rickettsia-specific NGS assay was developed to identify Rickettsia species that were indistinguishable at the V1-2 regions of 16S. Sanger sequencing of near full-length 16S was used to confirm whether species detected by 16S NGS were novel. The haemotropic bacterial pathogens Anaplasma platys, Bartonella clarridgeiae, “Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum” and Coxiella burnetii were identified in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.) from Queensland (QLD), Western Australia, the Northern Territory (NT), and South Australia, Ixodes holocyclus from QLD, Rh. sanguineus (s.l.) from the NT, and I. holocyclus from QLD, respectively. Analysis of the control data showed that cross-talk compromises the detection of rare species as filtering thresholds for less abundant sequences had to be applied to mitigate false positives. A comparison of the taxonomic assignments made with 16S sequence databases revealed inconsistencies. The Rickettsia-specific citrate synthase gene NGS assay enabled the identification of Rickettsia co-infections with potentially novel species and genotypes most similar (97.9–99.1%) to Rickettsia raoultii and Rickettsia gravesii. “Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis” was identified for the first time in Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length 16S sequences confirmed a novel Coxiellaceae genus and species, two novel Francisella species, and two novel Francisella genotypes. Cross-talk raises concerns for the MiSeq platform as a diagnostic tool for clinical samples. This study provides recommendations for adjustments to Illuminaʼs 16S metagenomic sequencing protocol that help track and reduce cross-talk from cross-contamination during library preparation. The inconsistencies in taxonomic assignment emphasise the need for curated and quality-checked sequence databases. Bacterial pathogens identified in ticks from companion animals with 16S NGS. Sanger sequencing confirmed novel Coxiellaceae gen. sp. and Francisella. “Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis” was identified with Rickettsia-specific NGS. Comparison of taxonomic assignments in 16S sequence databases revealed errors. Modifications to the 16S metagenomic library protocol (Illumina) are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Telleasha L Greay
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.,Executive Consultant, EpiSeq, PO Box 357, Kwinana, Western Australia, 6966, Australia
| | - Kimberly L Evasco
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.,A/Senior Scientific Officer, Medical Entomology Unit, Department of Health, 1A Brockway Road, Mount Claremont, Western Australia, 6010, Australia
| | - Megan L Evans
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.,Cardio Respiratory Sleep, Level 1, 52-54 Monash Avenue, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Paola A Magni
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Murdoch University Singapore, King's Centre, 390 Havelock Road, Singapore, 169662, Republic of Singapore
| | - Una M Ryan
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
O'Brien CA, Huang B, Warrilow D, Hazlewood JE, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Hall-Mendelin S, Pegg CL, Harrison JJ, Paramitha D, Newton ND, Schulz BL, Suhrbier A, Hobson-Peters J, Hall RA. Extended characterisation of five archival tick-borne viruses provides insights for virus discovery in Australian ticks. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:59. [PMID: 35180893 PMCID: PMC8857802 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05176-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A subset of Australians who have been bitten by ticks experience a complex of chronic and debilitating symptoms which cannot be attributed to the known pathogenic species of bacteria present in Australia. As a result, there has been a renewed effort to identify and characterise viruses in Australian terrestrial ticks. Recent transcriptome sequencing of Ixodes and Amblyomma ticks has revealed the presence of multiple virus sequences. However, without virus isolates our ability to understand the host range and pathogenesis of newly identified viruses is limited. We have established a successful method for high-throughput virus discovery and isolation in mosquitoes using antibodies to double-stranded RNA. In this study we sought to characterise five archival tick-borne viruses to adapt our virus discovery protocol for Australian ticks. Methods We performed virus characterisation using a combination of bioinformatic sequence analysis and in vitro techniques including replication kinetics, antigenic profiling, virus purification and mass spectrometry. Results Our sequence analysis of Nugget virus, Catch-me-Cave virus and Finch Creek virus revealed marked genetic stability in isolates collected from the same location approximately 30 years apart. We demonstrate that the Ixodes scapularis-derived ISE6 cell line supports replication of Australian members of the Flaviviridae, Nairoviridae, Phenuiviridae and Reoviridae families, including Saumarez Reef virus (SREV), a flavivirus isolated from the soft tick Ornithodoros capensis. While antibodies against double-stranded RNA could be used to detect replication of a tick-borne reovirus and mosquito-borne flavivirus, the tick-borne flaviviruses Gadgets Gully virus and SREV could not be detected using this method. Finally, four novel virus-like sequences were identified in transcriptome sequencing of the Australian native tick Ixodes holocyclus. Conclusions Genetic and antigenic characterisations of archival viruses in this study confirm that three viruses described in 2002 represent contemporary isolates of virus species first identified 30 years prior. Our findings with antibodies to double-stranded RNA highlight an unusual characteristic shared by two Australian tick-borne flaviviruses. Finally, comparative growth kinetics analyses of Australian tick-borne members of the Flaviviridae, Nairoviridae, Phenuiviridae and Reoviridae families in ISE6 and BSR cells will provide a useful resource for isolation of Australian tick-borne viruses using existing cell lines. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05176-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin A O'Brien
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Bixing Huang
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, P.O. Box 594, Archerfield, QLD, Australia
| | - David Warrilow
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, P.O. Box 594, Archerfield, QLD, Australia
| | - Jessamine E Hazlewood
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia.,School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Sonja Hall-Mendelin
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, P.O. Box 594, Archerfield, QLD, Australia
| | - Cassandra L Pegg
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Jessica J Harrison
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Devina Paramitha
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Natalee D Newton
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Schulz
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia.,Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Jody Hobson-Peters
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Roy A Hall
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia. .,Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
A Review of Australian Tick Vaccine Research. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9091030. [PMID: 34579266 PMCID: PMC8473225 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9091030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick vaccine research in Australia has demonstrated leadership worldwide through the development of the first anti-tick vaccine in the 1990s. Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) research led to the development of vaccines and/or precursors of vaccines (such as crude extracts) for both the cattle tick and the paralysis tick. CSIRO commercialised the Bm86 vaccine in the early 1990s for Rhipicephalus australis; however, issues with dosing and lack of global conservation led to the market closure of Tick-GARD in Australia. New research programs arose both locally and globally. The Australian paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus has perplexed research veterinarians since the 1920s; however, not until the 2000s did biotechnology exist to elucidate the neurotoxin—holocyclotoxin family of toxins leading to a proof of concept vaccine cocktail. This review revisits these discoveries and describes tributes to deceased tick vaccine protagonists in Australia, including Sir Clunies Ross, Dr Bernard Stone and Dr David Kemp.
Collapse
|
10
|
Encinosa Guzmán PE, Fernández Cuétara C, Cano Argüelles AL, Fuentes Castillo A, García Martínez Y, Rodríguez Fernández R, Fernández Afonso Y, Bello Soto Y, González Alfaro Y, Méndez L, Díaz García A, Estrada MP, Rodríguez-Mallon A. Characterization of two Cuban colonies of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2021; 25:100591. [PMID: 34474784 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888) is one of the species with medical and economic relevance that has been reported in the list of Cuban tick species. Some morphological characterizations about the R. microplus species in Cuba have been published; however, molecular studies are lacking. Molecular phylogenetic analyses have grouped R. annulatus, R. australis and three clades of R. microplus in a complex named R. microplus. The present study aimed to characterize two R. microplus tick isolates, established as colonies at the Cuban National Laboratory of Parasitology. Morphological characterization of adult specimens was carried out by using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The sequences of mitochondrial genes: 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and the subunit I of cytochrome c oxidase (coxI) and one nuclear sequence: internal transcribed spacer 2 (its2) were used for phylogenetic analyses. The life cycle under laboratory conditions for both isolates was also characterized. Tick specimens of both colonies showed morphological characteristics comparable with those distinctive for the R. microplus species. Phylogenies based on mitochondrial gene sequences identified congruently the Cuban tick colonies within the clade A of R. microplus. The life cycle of both isolates under laboratory conditions lasted 65 ± 5 days and the reproductive performance of female ticks of each colony also were similar with approximately 2500 larvae obtained from fully engorged female ticks. This study constitutes the first molecular characterization of ticks from the R. microplus species in Cuba.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro E Encinosa Guzmán
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), 31st Avenue and 190, P.O. Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Claudia Fernández Cuétara
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), 31st Avenue and 190, P.O. Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Ana Laura Cano Argüelles
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), 31st Avenue and 190, P.O. Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Alier Fuentes Castillo
- National Laboratory of Parasitology, Avenue San Antonio-Rincón, Km 1 1/2, Artemisa CP32500, Cuba
| | - Yuselys García Martínez
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), 31st Avenue and 190, P.O. Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | | | - Yilian Fernández Afonso
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Cuba, Km 1 1/2 Carretera de San Antonio, Valle Grande, La Lisa, Habana CP17100, Cuba
| | - Yami Bello Soto
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), 31st Avenue and 190, P.O. Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Yorexis González Alfaro
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Cuba, Km 1 1/2 Carretera de San Antonio, Valle Grande, La Lisa, Habana CP17100, Cuba
| | - Luis Méndez
- National Laboratory of Parasitology, Avenue San Antonio-Rincón, Km 1 1/2, Artemisa CP32500, Cuba
| | - Angelina Díaz García
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Cuba, Km 1 1/2 Carretera de San Antonio, Valle Grande, La Lisa, Habana CP17100, Cuba
| | - Mario Pablo Estrada
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), 31st Avenue and 190, P.O. Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Alina Rodríguez-Mallon
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), 31st Avenue and 190, P.O. Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Duan DY, Chen Z, Fu YT, Liu GH, Cheng TY. Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genomes of two Ixodes ticks, I. nipponensis and Ixodes (Pholeoixodes) sp. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 35:513-522. [PMID: 33931902 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the authors sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of two hard ticks of the genus Ixodes, I. nipponensis and Ixodes (Pholeoixodes) sp., which were 14 505 and 14 543 bp in length, respectively. Their mt genomes encoded 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes, and have only one non-coding region. The gene order in their mt genomes was the same as that of other Ixodes spp. mt genomes. The average sequence identity, combined nucleotide diversity, non-synonymous/synonymous substitutions ratio analyses consistently demonstrated that cox1, rrnS, cox2, cox3 and cytb were the most conserved and atp8, nad6 and nad2 were the most variable genes across Ixodes mitogenomes. Phylogeny of the present Ixodes spp., and other selected hard tick species, based on concatenated amino acid sequences of PCGs, confirmed their position within the genus Ixodes and sub-family Ixodinae. The novel mt markers described herein will be useful for further studies of the population genetics, molecular epidemiology and systematics of hard ticks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D-Y Duan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Z Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Y-T Fu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - G-H Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - T-Y Cheng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Krige AS, Thompson RCA, Seidlitz A, Keatley S, Wayne J, Clode PL. Molecular Detection of Trypanosoma spp. in Questing and Feeding Ticks (Ixodidae) Collected from an Endemic Region of South-West Australia. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10081037. [PMID: 34451502 PMCID: PMC8398035 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing number of indigenous trypanosomes have been reported to naturally infect a variety of Australian wildlife with some species of Trypanosoma implicated in the population decline of critically endangered marsupials. However, the mode of transmission of Australian trypanosomes is unknown since their vectors remain unidentified. Here we aimed to fill this current knowledge gap about the occurrence and identity of indigenous trypanosomes in Australian invertebrates by conducting molecular screening for the presence of Trypanosoma spp. in native ticks collected from south-west Australia. A total of 231 ticks (148 collected from vegetation and 83 retrieved directly from 76 marsupial hosts) were screened for Trypanosoma using a High-Resolution Melt (HRM) qPCR assay. An overall Trypanosoma qPCR positivity of 37% (46/125) and 34% (26/76) was detected in questing ticks and host-collected (i.e., feeding) ticks, respectively. Of these, sequencing revealed 28% (35/125) of questing and 28% (21/76) of feeding ticks were infected with one or more of the five species of trypanosome previously reported in this region (T. copemani, T. noyesi, T. vegrandis, T. gilletti, Trypanosoma sp. ANU2). This work has confirmed that Australian ticks are capable of harbouring several species of indigenous trypanosome and likely serve as their vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Sheree Krige
- UWA School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
- Correspondence:
| | - R. C. Andrew Thompson
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (R.C.A.T.); (S.K.)
| | - Anke Seidlitz
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia;
| | - Sarah Keatley
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (R.C.A.T.); (S.K.)
| | - Julia Wayne
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Locked Bag 2, Manjimup, WA 6258, Australia;
| | - Peta L. Clode
- UWA School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Utami P, Budianto BH, Sahara A. Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) infestation of cuscuses from Maluku Province, Indonesia. Vet World 2021; 14:1465-1471. [PMID: 34316193 PMCID: PMC8304430 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.1465-1471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Cuscuses are one of the endemic Indonesian marsupials, which needs to be protected and revived in terms of the numbers and range of species. Ectoparasites of ticks (Ixodidae) are one potential obstacle to cuscus conservation. Tick infestation can cause blood loss in the host, even being a predisposing factor for infection with pathogenic organisms. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, infestation intensity, and species of ticks present on cuscuses in Maluku Province, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: Ticks were collected from cuscuses origin of the four regions in Maluku Province, namely the island of Ambon, Seram Island, Romang Island, and Wetar Island. Cuscuses were captured at night, with ticks being collected from them from the head to the tip of the tail. The tick samples obtained from the cuscuses were preserved, identified, and counted. Cuscuses were released back into their habitat after collecting the ticks. The obtained ticks were observed using an Olympus BX51 microscope with an Olympus DP12 digital camera and prepared for examination under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Infestation rate, infestation intensity, and morphology of the species were described. Results: The cuscuses were found to be infested with Ixodes cordifer ticks. Cuscuses in Maluku Province had a low tick infestation rate. The range of infestation prevalence of island origin cuscuses in Maluku was between 14.28% and 16.67%. Simultaneously, I. cordifer infestation level was mildly infested based on the intensity of thick infestation ranged from 1 to 1.2 ticks per cuscus. From observation of the tick surface structure under SEM, sexual dimorphism and various specific characteristics of the ticks were identified. Conclusion: The low infestation rate of I. cordifer ticks in cuscus was influenced by the up and down movement of the conscious activity in the tree, which allowed minimal contact with the ticks. The infestation prevalence rates on each island studied were similar. Such similarities of infestation are related to the similarity of cuscus species among Ambon, Lakor, Seram, and Romang islands, which are all included in the Phalangeridae family, and their similar habitats, behaviors, climatic conditions, and geographical areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prasetyarti Utami
- Faculty of Biology, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia.,Program of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Terbuka, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Bambang Heru Budianto
- Faculty of Biology, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia
| | - Ana Sahara
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sameroff S, Tokarz R, Jain K, Oleynik A, Carrington CVF, Lipkin WI, Oura CAL. Novel quaranjavirus and other viral sequences identified from ticks parasitizing hunted wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101730. [PMID: 33957484 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hunters are at a higher risk for exposure to zoonotic pathogens due to their close interactions with wildlife and arthropod vectors. In this study, high throughput sequencing was used to explore the viromes of two tick species, Amblyomma dissimile and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, removed from hunted wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago. We identified sequences from 3 new viral species, from the viral families Orthomyxoviridae, Chuviridae and Tetraviridae in A. dissimile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Sameroff
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, United States; School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
| | - Rafal Tokarz
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Komal Jain
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Alexandra Oleynik
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Christine V F Carrington
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - W Ian Lipkin
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Christopher A L Oura
- School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
The "tropical lineage" of the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato identified as Rhipicephalus linnaei (). Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:431-436. [PMID: 33713653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) parasitises dogs. Over the past decade, two distinct lineages have been recognised - R. sanguineus sensu lato "temperate lineage" and R. sanguineus sensu lato "tropical lineage". The nominal taxon R. sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) was recently associated with the "temperate lineage". We here identify the "tropical lineage" as Rhipicephalus linnaei (Audouin, 1826) using material from Australia, where no other Rhipicephalus species parasitises dogs. Whole genome sequencing of R. linnaei from Australia, Fiji and Laos, and assembly of their complete mitochondrial DNA (~15 kb) confirms the genetic identity and distinctness from all other known species within the brown dog tick species complex. Designation of the species R. linnaei is unequivocally supported by material available through the Australian National Insect Collection, Australia. Accordingly, we are formally justified in using R. linnaei for the "tropical lineage".
Collapse
|
16
|
Tadepalli M, Vincent G, Hii SF, Watharow S, Graves S, Stenos J. Molecular Evidence of Novel Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Species in Amblyomma albolimbatum Ticks from the Shingleback Skink ( Tiliqua rugosa) in Southern Western Australia. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10010035. [PMID: 33466308 PMCID: PMC7824790 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne infectious diseases caused by obligate intracellular bacteria of the genus Rickettsia are a growing global problem to human and animal health. Surveillance of these pathogens at the wildlife interface is critical to informing public health strategies to limit their impact. In Australia, reptile-associated ticks such as Bothriocroton hydrosauri are the reservoirs for Rickettsia honei, the causative agent of Flinders Island spotted fever. In an effort to gain further insight into the potential for reptile-associated ticks to act as reservoirs for rickettsial infection, Rickettsia-specific PCR screening was performed on 64 Ambylomma albolimbatum ticks taken from shingleback skinks (Tiliqua rugosa) located in southern Western Australia. PCR screening revealed 92% positivity for rickettsial DNA. PCR amplification and sequencing of phylogenetically informative rickettsial genes (ompA, ompB, gltA, sca4, and 17kda) suggested that the single rickettsial genotype detected represented a novel rickettsial species, genetically distinct from but closely related to Rickettsia gravesii and within the rickettsia spotted fever group (SFG). On the basis of this study and previous investigations, it would appear that Rickettsia spp. are endemic to reptile-associated tick species in Australia, with geographically distinct populations of the same tick species harboring genetically distinct SFG Rickettsia species. Further molecular epidemiology studies are required to understand the relationship between these diverse Rickettsiae and their tick hosts and the risk that they may pose to human and animal health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mythili Tadepalli
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong 3220, Australia; (M.T.); (G.V.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - Gemma Vincent
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong 3220, Australia; (M.T.); (G.V.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - Sze Fui Hii
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong 3220, Australia; (M.T.); (G.V.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | | | - Stephen Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong 3220, Australia; (M.T.); (G.V.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Nepean Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Penrith 2747, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong 3220, Australia; (M.T.); (G.V.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
An instance of parasitism on a human by a nymph of the kangaroo soft tick, Ornithodoros gurneyi Warburton, 1926 (Acari: Argasidae) in South Australia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101632. [PMID: 33360920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The kangaroo soft tick, Ornithodoros gurneyi Warburton, 1926, is a poorly studied argasid of the more arid regions of Australia. Anecdotal accounts have stated that this tick species will bite humans, and yet bites have not been described. Herein we report on an instance of parasitism by a nymph of O. gurneyi on a human, and we provide a summary of confirmed instances of parasitism on humans by this tick based on museum specimens.
Collapse
|
18
|
Hussain-Yusuf H, Stenos J, Vincent G, Shima A, Abell S, Preece ND, Tadepalli M, Hii SF, Bowie N, Mitram K, Graves S. Screening for Rickettsia, Coxiella and Borrelia Species in Ticks from Queensland, Australia. Pathogens 2020; 9:E1016. [PMID: 33276564 PMCID: PMC7761571 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9121016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick bites in Australia are linked to the transmission of a variety of infectious diseases in humans, livestock and wildlife. Despite this recognition, little is currently known about the variety of potential pathogens that are carried and transmitted by Australian ticks. In this study, we attempted to expand knowledge of Australian tick-borne bacterial pathogens by analyzing various tick species from the state of Queensland for potential human pathogens belonging to the Rickettsia, Coxiella and Borrelia genera. A total of 203 ticks, comprising of four genera and nine different tick species, were screened by specific qPCR assays. An overall Rickettsia qPCR positivity of 6.4% (13/203) was detected with rickettsial DNA found in four tick species (Ixodes holocyclus, I. tasmani, Amblyommatriguttatum, and Haemaphysalis longicornis). Amplification and analysis of several rickettsial genes from rickettsial qPCR positive samples identified sequences closely related to but genetically distinct from several previously described cultured and uncultured rickettsial species in the Rickettsia spotted fever subgroup. No ticks were positive for either Coxiella or Borrelia DNA. This work suggests that a further diversity of rickettsiae remain to be described in Australian ticks with the full importance of these bacteria to human and animal health yet to be elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hazizul Hussain-Yusuf
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - Gemma Vincent
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - Amy Shima
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, James Cook University, Townsville 4611, Queensland, Australia; (A.S.); (N.D.P.)
| | - Sandra Abell
- Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, James Cook University, Townsville 4611, Queensland, Australia; (S.A.); (N.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Noel D. Preece
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, James Cook University, Townsville 4611, Queensland, Australia; (A.S.); (N.D.P.)
- Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0815, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Mythili Tadepalli
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - Sze Fui Hii
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - Naomi Bowie
- Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, James Cook University, Townsville 4611, Queensland, Australia; (S.A.); (N.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Kate Mitram
- Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, James Cook University, Townsville 4611, Queensland, Australia; (S.A.); (N.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Stephen Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Nepean Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Penrith 2747, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gillingham EL, Cull B, Pietzsch ME, Phipps LP, Medlock JM, Hansford K. The Unexpected Holiday Souvenir: The Public Health Risk to UK Travellers from Ticks Acquired Overseas. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E7957. [PMID: 33138220 PMCID: PMC7663673 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Overseas travel to regions where ticks are found can increase travellers' exposure to ticks and pathogens that may be unfamiliar to medical professionals in their home countries. Previous studies have detailed non-native tick species removed from recently returned travellers, occasionally leading to travel-associated human cases of exotic tick-borne disease. There are 20 species of tick endemic to the UK, yet UK travellers can be exposed to many other non-native species whilst overseas. Here, we report ticks received by Public Health England's Tick Surveillance Scheme from humans with recent travel history between January 2006 and December 2018. Altogether, 16 tick species were received from people who had recently travelled overseas. Confirmed imports (acquired outside of the UK) were received from people who recently travelled to 22 countries. Possible imports (acquired abroad or within the UK) were received from people who had recently travelled to eight European countries. Species-specific literature reviews highlighted nine of the sixteen tick species are known to vector at least one tick-borne pathogen to humans in the country of acquisition, suggesting travellers exposed to ticks may be at risk of being bitten by a species that is a known vector, with implications for novel tick-borne disease transmission to travellers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Gillingham
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Benjamin Cull
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Maaike E. Pietzsch
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - L. Paul Phipps
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Research Group, Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK;
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Kayleigh Hansford
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Krige AS, Thompson RCA, Seidlitz A, Keatley S, Botero A, Clode PL. 'Hook, line, and sinker': Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) uncovers Trypanosoma noyesi in Australian questing ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101596. [PMID: 33126202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomes are blood-borne parasites infecting a range of mammalian hosts worldwide. In Australia, an increasing number of novel Trypanosoma species have been identified from various wildlife hosts, some of which are critically endangered. Trypanosoma noyesi is a recently described species of biosecurity concern, due to a close relationship to the South American human pathogen, Trypanosoma cruzi. This genetic similarity increases the risk for introduction of T. cruzi via a local vector. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the vectorial capacity of Australian invertebrates for native Trypanosoma species. Australian ixodid ticks (Ixodidae), which are widespread ectoparasites of mammalian wildlife, have received the most attention as likely candidates for trypanosome transmission and have been previously implicated as vectors. However, as all studies to date have focused on blood-fed ticks collected directly from infected mammalian hosts, the question of whether ticks maintain a trypanosome infection between blood meals is unknown. In this study, we investigated the presence of Trypanosoma within 148 Australian adult and nymph questing ticks of the species Amblyomma triguttatum, Ixodes australiensis, Ixodes myrmecobii and larvae Ixodes spp., collected from an endemic region of south-west Australia. Using a novel HRM-qPCR detection method that can discriminate between species of Trypanosoma based on primer melting temperature (Tm), we report the first molecular detection of Trypanosoma DNA in Australian questing ticks, with 6 ticks DNA positive for T. noyesi. Additionally, the presence of intact T. noyesi parasites within all (n = 3) smeared gut and gland contents of questing ticks was confirmed using a fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) assay. Whilst this study was unable to determine the in situ tissue location of trypanosomes for the purpose of discerning a potential route of transmission, these combined molecular and FISH smear data indicate that trypanosomes can persist in ticks between blood meals and that ticks are possibly vectors in the transmission of T. noyesi between native wildlife. Transmission experiments are still required to evaluate the competency of Australian ticks as vectors for T. noyesi. Nevertheless, these novel findings warrant further investigation concerning potential life stages and the development of trypanosomes in both Australian, and other, tick species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Sheree Krige
- UWA School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - R C Andrew Thompson
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Anke Seidlitz
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Sarah Keatley
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Adriana Botero
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peta L Clode
- UWA School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia; Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kelava S, Mans BJ, Shao R, Moustafa MAM, Matsuno K, Takano A, Kawabata H, Sato K, Fujita H, Ze C, Plantard O, Hornok S, Gao S, Barker D, Barker SC, Nakao R. Phylogenies from mitochondrial genomes of 120 species of ticks: Insights into the evolution of the families of ticks and of the genus Amblyomma. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101577. [PMID: 33120251 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The evolution and phylogenetic relationships of the ticks at both the family and genus levels are contested. The genus Amblyomma and its subgenera are in a state of flux; moreover, the relationships among the three tick families are controversial due to conflicting phylogenetic support for different arrangements of the three families of living ticks. With 18 newly sequenced mitochondrial (mt) genomes of ticks included, we executed the largest mt genome phylogenetic study of ticks so far. Phylogenetic trees were inferred from one sea spider mt genome, one horseshoe crab, five mite mt genomes and 146 tick mt genomes from 120 species: 153 mt genomes in total. Sixteen phylogenetic trees were inferred from 10 datasets using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. We describe the first novel mt gene-arrangement for the metastriate Ixodidae in Amblyomma (Africaniella) transversale. Also, three unusual partial 16S rRNA gene inserts were found in the mt genome of Haemaphysalis (Alloceraea) kitaokai: we consider the possible role of past genome translocation events in the formation of these inserts. Our phylogenies revealed evidence that: (i) the genus Amblyomma is polyphyletic with respect to Amblyomma (Africaniella) transversale; (ii) the subgenus Aponomma is apparently embedded in the genus Amblyomma; (iii) Haemaphysalis (Segalia) parva and Haemaphysalis (Alloceraea) kitaokai form a clade to the exclusion of other Haemaphysalis species; and (iv) the phylogenetic position of the family Nuttalliellidae is unstable among phylogenies from different datasets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Kelava
- Department of Parasitology, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Ben J Mans
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council - Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa; The Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa; The Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida, 1709, South Africa
| | - Renfu Shao
- School of Science and Engineering, GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4558, Australia
| | | | - Keita Matsuno
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ai Takano
- Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kawabata
- Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Kozue Sato
- Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Hiromi Fujita
- Mahara Institute of Medical Acarology, 56-3 Aratano, Anan-shi, Tokushima, 779-1510, Japan
| | - Chen Ze
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050024, China
| | | | - Sandor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Shan Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Dayana Barker
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia
| | - Stephen C Barker
- Department of Parasitology, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Packianathan R, Hodge A, Bruellke N, Jackson C, Maeder S. Efficacy of combination products containing sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel (Simparica Trio™) or afoxolaner and milbemycin (NexGard Spectra ®) against induced infestations of Ixodes holocyclus in dogs. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:448. [PMID: 32891172 PMCID: PMC7487620 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04323-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, causes tick paralysis in dogs and cats in the eastern coastal regions of Australia. Prevention is the best option to protect dogs against this potentially fatal disease and sarolaner provides rapid and sustained efficacy against I. holocyclus. In this laboratory study, the efficacy of two combination endectocides containing sarolaner + moxidectin + pyrantel (Simparica Trio™) and afoxolaner + milbemycin (NexGard Spectra®) was evaluated against an artificial infestation of I. holocyclus. METHODS Twenty-four (n =24) foxhounds were randomly allocated to three treatment groups and artificially infested with 30 adult female viable ticks on Days - 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. On Day 0, dogs in each treatment group were treated with either Drontal® (control group), Simparica Trio™ at the label dose to provide minimum doses of sarolaner (1.2 mg/kg), moxidectin (24 µg/kg) and pyrantel (5 mg/kg) or NexGard Spectra® to provide minimum doses of afoxolaner (2.5 mg/kg) and milbemycin (0.5 mg/kg). Live tick counts were performed at 48 and 72 hours after treatment and after each re-infestation on Days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. Efficacy was determined at each time point relative to counts for control dogs based on geometric means. RESULTS Against an existing infestation, efficacy of both Simparica Trio™ and NexGard Spectra® was 99.6% and 100% at 48 and 72 h time points, respectively (P = 1.000). Against subsequent weekly infestations, treatment with Simparica Trio™ and NexGard Spectra® resulted in efficacy of ≥ 97.7% and ≥ 95.5% (P ≥ 0.0911), respectively at the 48 h time point and at the 72 h time point, Simparica Trio™ and NexGard Spectra® resulted in efficacy of ≥ 99.0% and ≥ 98.4% (P ≥ 0.0511), respectively. There were no treatment-related adverse events in the study. CONCLUSIONS Single doses of Simparica Trio™ and NexGard Spectra® were highly efficacious and provided comparable efficacy against the Australian paralysis tick, I. holocyclus for up to 35 days.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raj Packianathan
- Zoetis Australia Research and Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, NSW, 2138, Australia.
| | - Andrew Hodge
- Zoetis Australia Research and Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, NSW, 2138, Australia
| | - Natalie Bruellke
- Zoetis Australia Research and Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, NSW, 2138, Australia
| | | | - Steven Maeder
- Zoetis Australia Research and Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, NSW, 2138, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Barker D, Barker SC. Survey of cases of tick-paralysis and the presence of the eastern paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, and the southern paralysis tick, Ixodes cornuatus, in the Greater Melbourne Area. Aust Vet J 2019; 98:2-10. [PMID: 31670398 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the paralysis ticks, Ixodes holocyclus and Ixodes cornuatus, are epizootic and/or enzootic in the Greater Melbourne Area (GMA). METHODS We examined the ticks in the museum collections of Australia, wrote to, phoned and visited veterinarians and other colleagues in the GMA to gather information about the cases of tick paralysis and to request the ticks for identification. RESULTS We present evidence of I. holocyclus at 24 postcodes and I. cornuatus at 28 postcodes in the GMA. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence that I. holocyclus is epizootic at four postcodes in the GMA: at East Melbourne, Williamstown, Moonee Ponds and Hoppers Crossing. We did not find evidence that I. holocyclus is enzootic in the GMA. I. cornuatus is apparently enzootic in the GMA at Bullengarook, Kinglake, Chum Creek and Healesville. Our hypothesis is that I. cornuatus is also enzootic at Mt Macedon, Gisborne and at other bushy postcodes in the GMA. Since this tick is apparently enzootic in the GMA, it may also be epizootic at postcodes adjacent to busy postcodes such as Bullengarook, Kinglake, Chum Creek and Healesville. The concept of hitch-hiker larvae, nymphs and adult female ticks may explain many of the cases of tick paralysis due to I. holocyclus in the GMA. The accurate assessment of the risk of tick paralysis in dogs and cats in the GMA requires a more detailed map of the distribution of I. holocyclus and I. cornuatus in Victoria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Barker
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia
| | - S C Barker
- Department of Parasitology, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Krige AS, Thompson RCA, Clode PL. 'Hang on a Tick' - Are Ticks Really the Vectors for Australian Trypanosomes? Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:596-606. [PMID: 31229455 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomes are global blood parasites that infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts. Several species of Trypanosoma cause disease in humans and domesticated animals, and the majority are transmitted between hosts by haematophagous invertebrate vectors. Ticks have long been speculated as vectors for Australian trypanosomes. Recent studies using advanced molecular techniques have refocused attention on these arthropods, and whilst they have renewed discussions about Trypanosoma species and their vectors, these reports have simultaneously led to premature conclusions concerning the role of ticks as vectors. Here the controversy surrounding ticks as trypanosome vectors is discussed. We highlight the unanswered questions concerning the role played by ticks in trypanosome transmission and suggest future approaches to resolving these key knowledge gaps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Sheree Krige
- UWA School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - R C Andrew Thompson
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peta L Clode
- UWA School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia; Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Norval G, Ross KE, Sharrad RD, Gardner MG. Taking stock: a review of the known parasites of the sleepy lizard,Tiliqua rugosa(Gray, 1825), a common lizard endemic to Australia. T ROY SOC SOUTH AUST 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/03721426.2019.1595946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gerrut Norval
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kirstin E. Ross
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Robert D. Sharrad
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Michael G. Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Dehhaghi M, Kazemi Shariat Panahi H, Holmes EC, Hudson BJ, Schloeffel R, Guillemin GJ. Human Tick-Borne Diseases in Australia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:3. [PMID: 30746341 PMCID: PMC6360175 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There are 17 human-biting ticks known in Australia. The bites of Ixodes holocyclus, Ornithodoros capensis, and Ornithodoros gurneyi can cause paralysis, inflammation, and severe local and systemic reactions in humans, respectively. Six ticks, including Amblyomma triguttatum, Bothriocroton hydrosauri, Haemaphysalis novaeguineae, Ixodes cornuatus, Ixodes holocyclus, and Ixodes tasmani may transmit Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia australis, Rickettsia honei, or Rickettsia honei subsp. marmionii. These bacterial pathogens cause Q fever, Queensland tick typhus (QTT), Flinders Island spotted fever (FISF), and Australian spotted fever (ASF). It is also believed that babesiosis can be transmitted by ticks to humans in Australia. In addition, Argas robertsi, Haemaphysalis bancrofti, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes hirsti, Rhipicephalus australis, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks may play active roles in transmission of other pathogens that already exist or could potentially be introduced into Australia. These pathogens include Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Burkholderia spp., Francisella spp., Dera Ghazi Khan virus (DGKV), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Lake Clarendon virus (LCV), Saumarez Reef virus (SREV), Upolu virus (UPOV), or Vinegar Hill virus (VINHV). It is important to regularly update clinicians' knowledge about tick-borne infections because these bacteria and arboviruses are pathogens of humans that may cause fatal illness. An increase in the incidence of tick-borne infections of human may be observed in the future due to changes in demography, climate change, and increase in travel and shipments and even migratory patterns of birds or other animals. Moreover, the geographical conditions of Australia are favorable for many exotic ticks, which may become endemic to Australia given an opportunity. There are some human pathogens, such as Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia rickettsii that are not currently present in Australia, but can be transmitted by some human-biting ticks found in Australia, such as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, if they enter and establish in this country. Despite these threats, our knowledge of Australian ticks and tick-borne diseases is in its infancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Dehhaghi
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology and Centre of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Kazemi Shariat Panahi
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology and Centre of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bernard J Hudson
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
|
28
|
Mans BJ, Featherston J, Kvas M, Pillay KA, de Klerk DG, Pienaar R, de Castro MH, Schwan TG, Lopez JE, Teel P, Pérez de León AA, Sonenshine DE, Egekwu NI, Bakkes DK, Heyne H, Kanduma EG, Nyangiwe N, Bouattour A, Latif AA. Argasid and ixodid systematics: Implications for soft tick evolution and systematics, with a new argasid species list. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 10:219-240. [PMID: 30309738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The systematics of the genera and subgenera within the soft tick family Argasidae is not adequately resolved. Different classification schemes, reflecting diverse schools of scientific thought that elevated or downgraded groups to genera or subgenera, have been proposed. In the most recent classification scheme, Argas and Ornithodoros are paraphyletic and the placement of various subgenera remains uncertain because molecular data are lacking. Thus, reclassification of the Argasidae is required. This will enable an understanding of soft tick systematics within an evolutionary context. This study addressed that knowledge gap using mitochondrial genome and nuclear (18S and 28S ribosomal RNA) sequence data for representatives of the subgenera Alectorobius, Argas, Chiropterargas, Ogadenus, Ornamentum, Ornithodoros, Navis (subgen. nov.), Pavlovskyella, Persicargas, Proknekalia, Reticulinasus and Secretargas, from the Afrotropical, Nearctic and Palearctic regions. Hard tick species (Ixodidae) and a new representative of Nuttalliella namaqua (Nuttalliellidae), were also sequenced with a total of 83 whole mitochondrial genomes, 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA genes generated. The study confirmed the utility of next-generation sequencing to retrieve systematic markers. Paraphyly of Argas and Ornithodoros was resolved by systematic analysis and a new species list is proposed. This corresponds broadly with the morphological cladistic analysis of Klompen and Oliver (1993). Estimation of divergence times using molecular dating allowed dissection of phylogeographic patterns for argasid evolution. The discovery of cryptic species in the subgenera Chiropterargas, Ogadenus and Ornithodoros, suggests that cryptic speciation is common within the Argasidae. Cryptic speciation has implications for past biological studies of soft ticks. These are discussed in particular for the Ornithodoros (Ornithodoros) moubata and Ornithodoros (Ornithodoros) savignyi groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ben J Mans
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa.
| | - Jonathan Featherston
- The Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council-Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Marija Kvas
- The Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council-Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Kerry-Anne Pillay
- The Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council-Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Daniel G de Klerk
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Ronel Pienaar
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Minique H de Castro
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Tom G Schwan
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Job E Lopez
- Department of Paediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Paediatric Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Pete Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Adalberto A Pérez de León
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville, TX, United States
| | - Daniel E Sonenshine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States; Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH), Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Noble I Egekwu
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., United States
| | - Deon K Bakkes
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Heloise Heyne
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Esther G Kanduma
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O BOX 30197, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nkululeko Nyangiwe
- Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim, 4930, South Africa
| | - Ali Bouattour
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Abdalla A Latif
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Westville, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Motor Neuron Disease in Australian Dogs and Cats. J Vet Med 2018; 2018:1018230. [PMID: 30159335 PMCID: PMC6106963 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1018230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Diseases presenting with lower motor neuron (LMN) signs are frequently seen in small animal veterinary practice in Australia. In addition to the most common causes of LMN disease seen world-wide, such as idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis and myasthenia gravis, there are several conditions presenting with LMN signs that are peculiar to the continent of Australia. These include snake envenomation by tiger (Notechis spp.), brown (Pseudonaja spp.), and black snakes (Pseudechis spp.), tick paralysis associated with Ixodes holocyclus and Ixodes coronatus, and tetrodotoxins from marine animals such as puffer fish (Tetraodontidae spp.) and blue-ring octopus (Hapalochlaena spp.). The wide range of differential diagnoses along with the number of etiological-specific treatments (e.g., antivenin, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) and highly variable prognoses underscores the importance of a complete physical exam and comprehensive history to aid in rapid and accurate diagnosis of LMN disease in Australian dogs and cats. The purpose of this review is to discuss diagnosis and treatment of LMN diseases seen in dogs and cats in Australia.
Collapse
|
30
|
Natusch DJD, Lyons JA, Dubey S, Shine R. Ticks on snakes: The ecological correlates of ectoparasite infection in free‐ranging snakes in tropical Australia. AUSTRAL ECOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. D. Natusch
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006Australia
| | - Jessica A. Lyons
- Resource Evaluation and Development Limited Frogs Hollow New South Wales Australia
| | | | - Richard Shine
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006Australia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Discovery of a novel iflavirus sequence in the eastern paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus. Arch Virol 2018; 163:2451-2457. [PMID: 29752559 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-018-3868-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Ixodes holocyclus, the eastern paralysis tick, is a significant parasite in Australia in terms of animal and human health. However, very little is known about its virome. In this study, next-generation sequencing of I. holocyclus salivary glands yielded a full-length genome sequence which phylogenetically groups with viruses classified in the Iflaviridae family and shares 45% amino acid similarity with its closest relative Bole hyalomma asiaticum virus 1. The sequence of this virus, provisionally named Ixodes holocyclus iflavirus (IhIV) has been identified in tick populations from northern New South Wales and Queensland, Australia and represents the first virus sequence reported from I. holocyclus.
Collapse
|
32
|
Cheng TY, Chen Z, Li ZB, Liu GH. First Report of Ixodes nipponensis Infection in Goats in China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:575-578. [PMID: 29741996 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites that infect a wide range of animals and humans, causing a variety of both human and animal diseases around the world. Ixodes nipponensis is the most commonly reported tick in Korea and Japan, but it is very rare in China. In this study, six I. nipponensis samples were collected from three black goats in Hunan province, China. Ticks identified morphologically as I. nipponensis were then examined by PCR with two different molecular markers: mitochondrial cox1 and the second internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA genes. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 sequences confirmed that all of the examined hard Ixodes ticks represented I. nipponensis. This finding indicates a potential risk of zoonotic I. nipponensis infection in humans and animals in China. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting the occurrence of I. nipponensis infection in goats in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Yin Cheng
- 1 Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
- 2 Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety , Changsha, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Chen
- 1 Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong-Bo Li
- 1 Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- 1 Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
- 2 Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety , Changsha, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
AbstractThe first fossil potentially assignable to the extant hard tick genus Haemaphysalis CL Koch (1844) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) is described from the Late Cretaceous (ca. 99 Ma) Burmese amber of Myanmar. Haemaphysalis (Alloceraea) cretacea sp. nov. is the oldest and only fossil representative of this genus; living members of which predominantly feed on mammals. Their typical hosts are known since at least the Jurassic and the discovery of a mid-Cretaceous parasite, which might have fed on mammals raises again the question of to what extent ticks are coupled to their (modern) host groups. An inferred Triassic split of Argasidae (soft ticks) into the bird-preferring Argasinae and mammal-preferring Ornithodorinae dates to about the time when dinosaurs (later including birds) and mammaliaforms as potential hosts were emerging. Ixodidae may have split into Prostriata and Metastriata shortly after the end-Permian mass extinction, an event which fundamentally altered the terrestrial vertebrate fauna. Prostriata (the genus Ixodes) prefer birds and mammals today, and some may have used groups like cynodonts in the Triassic. Basal metastriate ticks (e.g. Amblyomma) prefer reptiles, but derived metastriates (including Haemaphysalis) again prefer mammals. Here, we may be looking at a younger (Cretaceous?) shift associated with more recent mammalian radiations.
Collapse
|
34
|
Chalada MJ, Stenos J, Vincent G, Barker D, Bradbury RS. A Molecular Survey of Tick-Borne Pathogens from Ticks Collected in Central Queensland, Australia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:151-163. [PMID: 29336689 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Central Queensland (CQ) is a large and isolated, low population density, remote tropical region of Australia with a varied environment. The region has a diverse fauna and several species of ticks that feed upon that fauna. This study examined 518 individual ticks: 177 Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick), 123 Haemaphysalis bancrofti (wallaby tick), 102 Rhipicephalus australis (Australian cattle tick), 47 Amblyomma triguttatum (ornate kangaroo tick), 57 Ixodes holocyclus (paralysis tick), 9 Bothriocroton tachyglossi (CQ short-beaked echidna tick), and 3 Ornithodoros capensis (seabird soft tick). Tick midguts were pooled by common host or environment and screened for four genera of tick-borne zoonoses by PCR and sequencing. The study examined a total of 157 midgut pools of which 3 contained DNA of Coxiella burnetii, 13 Rickettsia gravesii, 1 Rickettsia felis, and 4 other Rickettsia spp. No Borrelia spp. or Babesia spp. DNA were recovered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Judith Chalada
- 1 School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University , North Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- 2 Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory , Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gemma Vincent
- 2 Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory , Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dayana Barker
- 3 School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Richard Stewart Bradbury
- 1 School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University , North Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
O'Brien CA, Hall RA, Lew-Tabor A. Could Australian ticks harbour emerging viral pathogens? MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/ma18060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne viruses contribute significantly to the disease burden in Europe, Asia and the US. Historically, some of the most well-known viruses from this group include the human pathogens, tick-borne encephalitis virus and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus. More recently multiple emerging tick-borne viruses have been associated with severe disease in humans with Bourbon virus and Heartland virus isolated from patients in the US and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus reported from China, Japan, and South Korea. Such examples highlight the need for broader approaches to survey arthropod pathogens, to encompass not only known but novel pathogens circulating in Australian tick populations.
Collapse
|
36
|
Irwin P, Egan S, Greay T, Oskam C. Bacterial tick-associated infections in Australia: current studies and future directions. MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/ma18063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It may seem perplexing that there is any uncertainty in Australia about the existence of zoonotic tick-associated infections1–3. Outside this country, particularly in the northern hemisphere, tick-borne diseases such as human granulocytic anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Boutonneuse fever, ehrlichiosis, Lyme borreliosis, and tick-borne encephalitis, have well documented aetiologies, epidemiology, diagnostic methods, and treatments. Why is Australia different and what research is being conducted to address this issue? This article briefly addresses these questions and explains how high-throughput metagenomic analysis has started to shed light on bacterial microbiomes in Australian ticks, providing new data on the presence and distribution of potentially zoonotic microbial taxa.
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
Tick bites are common and may have non-infectious complications. Reactions range from local reactions to systemic syndromes, tick paralysis, mammalian meat allergy and tick anaphylaxis. Management revolves around prevention with vector avoidance and immediate removal of the tick if bitten. Treatment of bite reactions is usually symptomatic only with anti-histamines or corticosteroids. Adrenaline may be indicated for severe cases.
Collapse
|
38
|
Barker SC, Barker D. Ticks in Australia: endemics; exotics; which ticks bite humans? MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/ma18062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
At least 71 species of ticks occur in Australia; a further 33 or so species are endemic to its neighbours, New Guinea and New Zealand. The ticks of Australia and other parts of Australasia are phylogenetically distinct. Indeed, there are at least two lineages of ticks that are unique to Australasia: the genus Bothriocroton Klompen, Dobson & Barker, 2002; and the new genus Archaeocroton Barker & Burger, 2018. Two species of ticks that are endemic to Australia are notorious for feeding on humans: (i) Ixodes holocyclus, the eastern paralysis tick, in eastern Australia; and (ii) Amblyomma triguttatum triguttatum, the ornate kangaroo tick, in Western Australia, at one place in South Australia, and in parts of Queensland. Three of the other endemic species of ticks that feed on humans in Australia are also noteworthy: (i) Bothriocroton hydrosauri, the southern reptile tick, which is a vector of Rickettsia honei (Flinders Island spotted fever); (ii) Haemaphysalis novaeguineae, the New Guinea haemaphysalid; and (iii) Ornithodoros capensis, the seabird soft tick. Here, we present images of female Ixodes holocyclus, Amblyomma t. triguttatum, Bothriocroton hydrosauri and Haemaphysalis novaeguineae and our latest maps of the geographic distributions of Ixodes holocyclus, Amblyomma t. triguttatum and Bothriocroton hydrosauri. None of the five exotic species of ticks in Australia typically feed on humans.
Collapse
|
39
|
Molecular detection and characterisation of Babesia and Theileria in Australian hard ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:471-478. [PMID: 29331578 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Babesia and Theileria are intraerythrocytic protozoans of the phylum Apicomplexa. These species are capable of infecting wild and domestic animals and have historically caused great economic loss in the agricultural industry. In recent years human babesiosis has been deemed an emerging zoonosis in North America, Europe and Asia. The first locally acquired case of babesiosis in Australia, caused by Babesia microti, was reported in March 2012. A number of native Babesia and Theileria species have been identified in Australian marsupials, however their associated tick vectors and threat to human health is unknown. In the present study DNA was extracted from 1154 ticks collected from across Australia. PCR was used to amplify a Babesia and Theileria-specific partial region of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed. Twenty-nine sequences were obtained from ticks belonging to the genera Ixodes, Haemaphysalis and Bothriocroton. The sequences were closely related to Babesia macropus, and Theileria recently identified in marsupials and monotremes. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods showed that Australian Babesia and Theileria species form monophyletic groups.
Collapse
|
40
|
Gauci PJ, McAllister J, Mitchell IR, Cybinski D, St George T, Gubala AJ. Genomic Characterisation of Vinegar Hill Virus, An Australian Nairovirus Isolated in 1983 from Argas Robertsi Ticks Collected from Cattle Egrets. Viruses 2017; 9:v9120373. [PMID: 29206186 PMCID: PMC5744148 DOI: 10.3390/v9120373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This report describes the near complete genomic sequence and subsequent analysis of Vinegar Hill virus (VINHV; tentative member of the genus Orthonairovirus, family Nairoviridae, order Bunyavirales). VINHV is the second nairovirus reported to be isolated on mainland Australia and the first to be sequenced and analysed. Our genetic analysis shows that VINHV belongs to the Dera Ghazi Khan genogroup, a group of viruses previously isolated in other parts of the world including Asia, South Africa, and the USA. We discuss possible routes of entry for nairoviruses into Australia and the need to understand the virome of Australian ticks in the context of new and emerging disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Penelope J Gauci
- Land Division, Defence Science & Technology Group, Fishermans Bend, Victoria 3207, Australia.
| | - Jane McAllister
- Land Division, Defence Science & Technology Group, Fishermans Bend, Victoria 3207, Australia.
| | - Ian R Mitchell
- Land Division, Defence Science & Technology Group, Fishermans Bend, Victoria 3207, Australia.
| | - Daisy Cybinski
- Formerly: Long Pocket Laboratories, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Indooroopilly, Queensland 4068, Australia.
| | - Toby St George
- Formerly: Long Pocket Laboratories, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Indooroopilly, Queensland 4068, Australia.
| | - Aneta J Gubala
- Land Division, Defence Science & Technology Group, Fishermans Bend, Victoria 3207, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Karbanowicz T, Dover E, Mu X, Tabor A, Rodriguez-Valle M. Extracellular expression of the HT1 neurotoxin from the Australian paralysis tick in two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Toxicon 2017; 140:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
42
|
Whitfield Z, Kelman M, Ward MP. Delineation of an endemic tick paralysis zone in southeastern Australia. Vet Parasitol 2017; 247:42-48. [PMID: 29080763 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tick paralysis has a major impact on pet dog and cat populations in southeastern Australia. It results from envenomation by Ixodes holocyclus and Ixodes cornuatus ticks, the role of Ixodes cornuatus in the epidemiology of this disease in Australia being unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the geographical distribution of tick paralysis cases in southeastern Australia using data from a national disease surveillance system and to compare characteristics of "endemic" cases with those reported outside this endemic zone ("sporadic" cases). Data were collated and a proportional symbol map of all cases by postcode was created. A 15-case isopleth was developed based on descriptive spatial statistics (directional ellipses) and then kernel smoothing to distinguish endemic from sporadic cases. During the study period (January 2010-December 2015) 12,421 cases were reported, and 10,839 of these reported by clinics located in 434 postcodes were included in the study. Endemic cases were predominantly reported from postcodes in coastal southeastern Australia, from southern Queensland to eastern Victoria. Of those cases meeting selection criteria, within the endemic zone 10,767 cases were reported from 351 (88%) postcodes and outside this zone 72 cases were reported from 48 (12%) postcodes. Of these latter 48 postcodes, 18 were in Victoria (26 cases), 16 in New South Wales (28 cases), 7 in Tasmania (9 cases), 5 in South Australia (7 cases) and 2 in Queensland (2 cases). Seasonal distribution in reporting was found: 62% of endemic and 52% of sporadic cases were reported in spring. The number of both endemic and sporadic cases reported peaked in October and November, but importantly a secondary peak in reporting of sporadic cases in April was found. In non-endemic areas, summer was the lowest risk season whilst in endemic areas, autumn was the lowest risk season. Two clusters of sporadic cases were identified, one in South Australia (P=0.022) during the period 22 May to 2 June 2012 and another in New South Wales (P=0.059) during the period 9 October to 29 November 2012. Endemic and sporadic cases did not differ with respect to neuter status (P=0.188), sex (P=0.205), case outcome (P=0.367) or method of diagnosis (P=0.413). However, sporadic cases were 4.2-times more likely to be dogs than cats (P<0.001). The endemic tick paralysis zone described is consistent with previous anecdotal reports. Sporadic cases reported outside this zone might be due to a history of pet travel to endemic areas, small foci of I. holocyclus outside of the endemic zone, or in the case of southern areas, tick paralysis caused by I. cornuatus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Whitfield
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Kelman
- Kelman Scientific, Peregian Beach QLD, Australia
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Kwak ML. Keys for the morphological identification of the Australian paralysis ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), with scanning electron micrographs. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 72:93-101. [PMID: 28497302 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0133-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The Australian paralysis ticks (Ixodes: Sternalixodes) are of considerable medical and veterinary importance within Australia. This is because of their ability to cause paralysis but also their capacity to transmit pathogens and induce allergic reactions. The available keys for the identification of the group (Ixodes holocyclus Neumann, Ixodes cornuatus Roberts, and Ixodes hirsti Hassall) are ambiguous and contain errors, making accurate identification of the group difficult. Illustrations of varying quality and accuracy of these species have been published in the past; however, they have never been collectively treated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Female Australian paralysis ticks are here examined using SEM, and the first pictorial key for this group is presented along with an accurate text key.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie Lamont Kwak
- Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC, 3186, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Graves SR, Stenos J. Tick-borne infectious diseases in Australia. Med J Aust 2017; 206:320-324. [PMID: 28403767 DOI: 10.5694/mja17.00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Tick bites in Australia can lead to a variety of illnesses in patients. These include infection, allergies, paralysis, autoimmune disease, post-infection fatigue and Australian multisystem disorder. Rickettsial (Rickettsia spp.) infections (Queensland tick typhus, Flinders Island spotted fever and Australian spotted fever) and Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) are the only systemic bacterial infections that are known to be transmitted by tick bites in Australia. Three species of local ticks transmit bacterial infection following a tick bite: the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is endemic on the east coast of Australia and causes Queensland tick typhus due to R. australis and Q fever due to C. burnetii; the ornate kangaroo tick (Amblyomma triguttatum) occurs throughout much of northern, central and western Australia and causes Q fever; and the southern reptile tick (Bothriocroton hydrosauri) is found mainly in south-eastern Australia and causes Flinders Island spotted fever due to R. honei. Much about Australian ticks and the medical outcomes following tick bites remains unknown. Further research is required to increase understanding of these areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, VIC
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Kwak ML, Beveridge I, Koehler AV, Malipatil M, Gasser RB, Jabbar A. Phylogenetic analysis of the Australasian paralysis ticks and their relatives (Ixodidae: Ixodes: Sternalixodes). Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:122. [PMID: 28253889 PMCID: PMC5335846 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2045-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Australasian paralysis ticks and their relatives, Ixodes Latrielle, subgenus Sternalixodes Schulze, are some of the most important ticks in the region. However, very little is known about their phylogenetic relationships. The aim of this study was to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of members of the subgenus Sternalixodes by undertaking phylogenetic analyses of morphological and molecular datasets. Methods Adult females (n = 64) of Sternalixodes, including Ixodes anatis Chilton, 1904, Ixodes confusus Roberts, 1960, Ixodes cornuatus Roberts, 1960, Ixodes cordifer Neumann, 1908, Ixodes dendrolagi Wilson, 1967, Ixodes hirsti Hassall, 1931, Ixodes holocyclus Neumann, 1899, Ixodes myrmecobii Roberts, 1962 and Ixodes trichosuri Roberts, 1960, were examined morphologically. Subsequently, these Ixodes spp. were genetically characterised using cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) of the rRNA. Both morphological and molecular datasets were analysed using various phylogenetic methods to assess the evolutionary relationship of various members of the subgenus Sternalixodes. Results Phylogenetic analyses of the cox1 sequences and morphological characters datasets revealed that the Australian and Papuan Sternalixodes formed a distinct clade with the New Zealand member of the group I. anatis positioned basally, in a separate clade. Ixodes holocyclus, I. cornuatus and I. myrmecobii formed a distinctive clade in both the cox1 and morphological phylogenies. However, based on phylogenetic analysis of the ITS-2 data, I. holocyclus formed a separate clade whereas I. cornuatus and I. myrmecobii grouped in a different clade. Conclusions The cox1 and morphological data suggest that the subgenus Sternalixodes is paraphyletic, and I. anatis is not a sternalixodid tick; hence, it should not be included in the subgenus. Based on the phylogenetic analyses of cox1 and ITS-2 sequences, it appears that I. myrmecobii and I. cornuatus are not subspecies of I. holocyclus. Although this study provided better insights into the taxonomic status of the subgenus Sternalixodes, a complete morphological and molecular (using multiple markers) phylogenetic analysis including all members of the subgenus would be required to more accurately elucidate the evolutionary relationships within the subgenus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie L Kwak
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia
| | - Ian Beveridge
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia
| | - Anson V Koehler
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia
| | - Mallik Malipatil
- Centre for AgriBioscience, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.,La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ash A, Elliot A, Godfrey S, Burmej H, Abdad MY, Northover A, Wayne A, Morris K, Clode P, Lymbery A, Thompson RCA. Morphological and molecular description of Ixodes woyliei n. sp. (Ixodidae) with consideration for co-extinction with its critically endangered marsupial host. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:70. [PMID: 28173840 PMCID: PMC5296950 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-1997-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Taxonomic identification of ticks obtained during a longitudinal survey of the critically endangered marsupial, Bettongia penicillata Gray, 1837 (woylie, brush-tailed bettong) revealed a new species of Ixodes Latrielle, 1795. Here we provide morphological data for the female and nymphal life stages of this novel species (Ixodes woyliei n. sp.), in combination with molecular characterisation using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1). In addition, molecular characterisation was conducted on several described Ixodes species and used to provide phylogenetic context. Results Ixodes spp. ticks were collected from the two remaining indigenous B. penicillata populations in south-western Australia. Of 624 individual B. penicillata sampled, 290 (47%) were host to ticks of the genus Ixodes; specifically I. woyliei n. sp., I. australiensis Neumann, 1904, I. myrmecobii Roberts, 1962, I. tasmani Neumann, 1899 and I. fecialis Warburton & Nuttall, 1909. Of these, 123 (42%) were host to the newly described I. woyliei n. sp. In addition, 268 individuals from sympatric marsupial species (166 Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus Wagner, 1855 (brushtail possum), 89 Dasyurus geoffroii Gould, 1841 (Western quoll) and 13 Isoodon obesulus fusciventer Gray, 1841 (southern brown bandicoot)) were sampled for ectoparasites and of these, I. woyliei n. sp. was only found on two I. o. fusciventer. Conclusions Morphological and molecular data have confirmed the first new Australian Ixodes tick species described in over 50 years, Ixodes woyliei n. sp. Based on the long-term data collected, it appears this tick has a strong predilection for B. penicillata, with 42% of Ixodes infections on this host identified as I. woyliei n. sp. The implications for this host-parasite relationship are unclear but there may be potential for a future co-extinction event. In addition, new molecular data have been generated for collected specimens of I. australiensis, I. tasmani and museum specimens of I. victoriensis Nuttall, 1916, which for the first time provides molecular support for the subgenus Endopalpiger Schulze, 1935 as initially defined. These genetic data provide essential information for future studies relying on genotyping for species identification or for those tackling the phylogenetic relationships of Australian Ixodes species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Ash
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.
| | - Aileen Elliot
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Stephanie Godfrey
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Halina Burmej
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Mohammad Yazid Abdad
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.,Environmental and Emerging Diseases Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Amy Northover
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Adrian Wayne
- Science and Conservation Division, Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife, Manjimup, WA, 6258, Australia
| | - Keith Morris
- Science and Conservation Division, Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife, Woodvale, WA, 6946, Australia
| | - Peta Clode
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Alan Lymbery
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - R C Andrew Thompson
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Burnard D, Weaver H, Gillett A, Loader J, Flanagan C, Polkinghorne A. Novel Chlamydiales genotypes identified in ticks from Australian wildlife. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:46. [PMID: 28122598 PMCID: PMC5267465 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-1994-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Members of the order Chlamydiales are known for their potential as human and veterinary bacterial pathogens. Despite this recognition, epidemiological factors such as routes of transmission are yet to be fully defined. Ticks are well known vectors for many other infections with several reports recently describing the presence of bacteria in the order Chlamydiales in these arthropods. Australian wildlife are hosts to an extensive range of tick species. Evidence is also growing that the marsupial hosts these ticks parasitise can also be infected by a number of bacteria in the order Chlamydiales, with at least one species, Chlamydia pecorum, posing a significant conservation threat. In the current study, we investigated the presence and identity of Chlamydiales in 438 ixodid ticks parasitizing wildlife in Australia by screening with a pan-Chlamydiales specific targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Results Pan-Chlamydiales specific PCR assays confirmed the common presence of Chlamydiales in Australian ticks parasitising a range of native wildlife. Interestingly, we did not detect any Chlamydiaceae, including C. pecorum, the ubiquitous pathogen of the koala. Instead, the Chlamydiales diversity that could be resolved indicated that Australian ticks carry at least six novel Chlamydiales genotypes. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA sequences (663 bp) of these novel Chlamydiales suggests that three of these genotypes are associated with the Simkaniaceae and putatively belong to three distinct novel strains of Fritschea spp. and three genotypes are related to the “Ca. Rhabdochlamydiaceae” and putatively belong to a novel genus, Rhabdochlamydia species and strain, respectively. Conclusions Sequence results suggest Australian wildlife ticks harbour a range of unique Chlamydiales bacteria that belong to families previously identified in a range of arthropod species. The results of this work also suggest that it is unlikely that arthropods act as vectors of pathogenic members of the family Chlamydiaceae, including C. pecorum, in Australian wildlife. The biology of novel Chlamydiales identified in arthropods remain unknown. The pathogenic role of the novel Chlamydiales identified in this study and the role that ticks may play in their transmission needs to be explored further. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-1994-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delaney Burnard
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Haylee Weaver
- Australian Government, Department of Environment and Energy, Australian Biological Resources Study, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Amber Gillett
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, QLD, 4519, Australia
| | - Joanne Loader
- Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd, 1695 Pumicestone Rd, Toorbul, QLD, 4510, Australia
| | - Cheyne Flanagan
- Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Roto House Historic Site, Cnr Lord Street and Roto Place, Port Macquarie, 2444, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Krige AS, Loh SM, Oskam CL. New host records for ticks (Acari : Ixodidae) from the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) revealed in Australian museum survey. AUST J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/zo18018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A nationwide survey was conducted for ticks (Ixodidae) removed from echidnas, Tachyglossus aculeatus (Shaw, 1792), that had been previously collected between 1928 and 2013, and archived within Australian national (Australian National Insect Collection, Australian Capital Territory) and state (Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia) natural history collections. A total of 850 ticks from 89 T. aculeatus hosts were morphologically identified to determine instar, sex and species. Seven larvae, 349 nymphs and 494 adults were identified; 235 were female and 259 were male. The most common tick species was Bothriocroton concolor (Neumann, 1899) (89.2%). In addition, ticks previously recorded from T. aculeatus were identified, including Amblyomma australiense Neumann, 1905 (1.8%), Amblyomma echidnae Roberts, 1953 (0.1%), Bothriocroton hydrosauri (Denny, 1843) (1.4%), Bothriocroton tachyglossi (Roberts, 1953) (1.5%) and Ixodes tasmani Neumann, 1899 (1.2%). For the first time, 22 Amblyomma fimbriatum Koch, 1844 (2.6%) and 19 Amblyomma triguttatum Koch, 1844 (2.2%) ticks were recorded from T. aculeatus. This is the first survey to utilise archived Australian tick collections for the purpose of acquiring new data on tick species that parasitise T. aculeatus.
Collapse
|
49
|
Dunlop JA, Apanaskevich DA, Lehmann J, Hoffmann R, Fusseis F, Ehlke M, Zachow S, Xiao X. Microtomography of the Baltic amber tick Ixodes succineus reveals affinities with the modern Asian disease vector Ixodes ovatus. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:203. [PMID: 27724841 PMCID: PMC5057450 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0777-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fossil ticks are extremely rare and Ixodes succineus Weidner, 1964 from Eocene (ca. 44-49 Ma) Baltic amber is one of the oldest examples of a living hard tick genus (Ixodida: Ixodidae). Previous work suggested it was most closely related to the modern and widespread European sheep tick Ixodes ricinus (Linneaus, 1758). RESULTS Restudy using phase contrast synchrotron x-ray tomography yielded images of exceptional quality. These confirm the fossil's referral to Ixodes Latreille, 1795, but the characters resolved here suggest instead affinities with the Asian subgenus Partipalpiger Hoogstraal et al., 1973 and its single living (and medically significant) species Ixodes ovatus Neumann, 1899. We redescribe the amber fossil here as Ixodes (Partipalpiger) succineus. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that Ixodes ricinus is unlikely to be directly derived from Weidner's amber species, but instead reveals that the Partipalpiger lineage was originally more widely distributed across the northern hemisphere. The closeness of Ixodes (P.) succineus to a living vector of a wide range of pathogens offers the potential to correlate its spatial and temporal position (northern Europe, nearly 50 million years ago) with the estimated origination dates of various tick-borne diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason A. Dunlop
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dmitry A. Apanaskevich
- United States National Tick Collection, The James H. Oliver, Jr. Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460-8056 USA
| | - Jens Lehmann
- Faculty of Geosciences, University of Bremen, D-28357 Bremen, Germany
| | - René Hoffmann
- Department of Earth Sciences, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Institute of Geology, Mineralogy, and Geophysics, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Florian Fusseis
- School of Geosciences, The University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute, King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW UK
| | - Moritz Ehlke
- Medical Planning Group, Zuse Institute Berlin, Department Visualization and Data Analysis, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Zachow
- Medical Planning Group, Zuse Institute Berlin, Department Visualization and Data Analysis, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Xianghui Xiao
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave, Lemont, IL 60439 USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Pek CH, Cheong CSJ, Yap YL, Doggett S, Lim TC, Ong WC, Lim J. Rare Cause of Facial Palsy: Case Report of Tick Paralysis by Ixodes Holocyclus Imported by a Patient Travelling into Singapore from Australia. J Emerg Med 2016; 51:e109-e114. [PMID: 27618477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are blood-sucking arachnids that feed on all classes of vertebrates, including humans. Ixodes holocyclus, also known as the Australian Paralysis Tick, is capable of causing a myriad of clinical issues in humans and companion animals, including the transmission of infectious agents, toxin-mediated paralysis, allergic and inflammatory reactions, and mammalian meat allergies in humans. The Australian Paralysis Tick is endemic to Australia, and only two other exported cases have been reported in the literature. CASE REPORT We report the third exported case of tick paralysis caused by I. holocyclus, which was imported on a patient into Singapore. We also discuss the clinical course of the patient, the salient points of management, and the proper removal of this tick species. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: With increasing air travel, emergency physicians need to be aware of and to identify imported cases of tick paralysis to institute proper management and advice to the patient. We also describe the tick identification features and proper method of removal of this tick species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chong Han Pek
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Crystal Shuk Jin Cheong
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Yan Lin Yap
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Stephen Doggett
- Department of Medical Entomology, Pathology West, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Thiam Chye Lim
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Wei Chen Ong
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Jane Lim
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|